Control system



June 12, 1951 H, c U 2,556,675

CONTROL SYSTEM 1 Original Filed 00,12. 7, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June1951 H. E. CARNAGUA 2,555,635

} CQNTBOL sYs'rBu Original Filed Oct. 7, 1942, 3 Smith-Sheet 2 June 12,1951 H. E'. cfimmsuA 2,556,675

CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed Oct. 7,' 1942 3 Sheelis-Sheet 3 l I II 1120 116 J50 J26 J22 J24 11a Patented June 12, 1951 CONTROL SYSTEM HaroldE. Carnagua, Muncie, Ind., assignor to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago,111., a corporation of Illinois Original application October 7, 1942,Serial No.

461,169. Divided and this application May 26, 1948, Serial No. 29,229

2 Claims.

This invention relates to control mechanisms and has as its generalobject to provide an im proved arrangement for imparting a two-stagemovement to a shiftable control element in response to variationsinspeed of a rotating body. The invention is applicable to any mechanismin which a control element having two or more positions (in addition toa neutral or starting position) is controlled in accordance with thespeed of rotation of a member of the mechanism, and is particularlyuseful in an automatic or semiautomatic transmission, such as that shownin the pending application of John M. Simpson and Harold E. Carnagua,Serial No. 426,122, filed January 9, 1942, wherein a valve having twoactive control positions is moved from a neutral position to each ofthese control positions under the control of a governor. Thisapplication is a division of the co-pending application of Harold E.Carnagua, Serial No. 461,169, filed October '7, 1942, now Patent No.2,445,561.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a relatively simplecontrol arrangement for thus shifting a multiple position controlelement. To this end, the invention provides an arrangement in which thecontrol valve or ultimate control element is linked to the governorthrough the medium of a novel multiple stage solenoid and a multiplestage switch, the switch being operated by the governor and in turncontrolling the energization of the solenoid.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved controlmechanism embodying a novel multiple stage solenoid adapted to impartsuccessive stages of movement to a common axially moving element.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide an improvedcontrol mechanism embody ing a plurality of coils adapted to beenergized successively and a plurality of armatures adapted to beenergized by the respective coils, together with means for connectingboth armatures to a common axially moving element in such a manner thatthe latter element is moved to one position by energized movement of onearmature and to a second position by energized movement of anotherarmature.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in an arrangement suchas that last referred to, a solenoid having two sets of coils eachcomprising a moving coil and a holding coil, wherein the respective setsof coils are adapted to be successively energized and wherein means isprovided for deenergizing the moving coil of a respective set of coilsas soon as the corresponding armature has completed its energizedmovement.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved controlmechanism embodying a novel governor having a multiple stage action forclosing in succession a plurality of sets of contacts of a multiplestage switch.

Other objects, the advantages and uses of the invention will become moreapparent after reading the following specification and claims, and afterconsideration of the drawings forming a part of the specification,wherein:

Fig. 1 is an axial sectional view of the governor and switch portion ofa control mechanism embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the governor taken as indicatedby the line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a skeletonized circuit diagram of a control mechanismembodying my invention;

Fig, 4 is a side elevation, partially in axial section, of the two-stagesolenoid portion of the mechanism embodying my invention; and

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the solenoid mechanism.

As an example of one form in which my invention may be embodied, I haveshown in Fig. 3 a skeletonized circuit diagram of a control mechanismwherein a two-stage solenoid, indicated diagrammatically at S and shownin detail in Fig. 4, is adapted to impart two stages of movement to acontrol element [0 (Fig. 4) when energized in successive stages ofenergization by a source of electric current B, under the control of atwo stage switch, indicated generally at C, which in turn is controlledby a two-stage governor, indicated generally at G. Current from thesource B passes first through a manual control switch 12, then through acommon conductor M and parallel conductors I6, I6 to the contacts l8, l8of a pair of relays indicated generally as R and R respectively. Coils20, 20 of the relays R, R are energized through a common conductor 22extending from the manual switch 12 to the common contact 24 of theswitch C, then through the contacts 23, 26 and conductors 28, 28'. Fromthe contacts 30, 30 of the relays R, R, conductors 32, 32 lead to themoving coils 34, 34 and also the holding coils 36, 36', respectively ofthe solenoid S. The holding coils 36, 36 are grounded directly as at 38,38', while the moving coils 34, 34 are grounded through cutout switches40, 40 by means of which the respective moving coils may be deenergizedas 3 soon as their corresponding armatures have completed theirrespective energized movements.

The control element It may be a valve having two active controlpositions, in which it is adapted to direct hydraulic fiuid, underpressure, through different paths for effecting different or modifiedcontrol function such as the application of a hydraulic torque converterlockup clutch on the one hand and the engagement of a planetary gear setlockup clutch on the other hand, in a transmission such as that shown inthe aboveidentified application, Serial No. 426,122.

The hydraulic actuating unit of the planetary gear set lockup clutch isshown in Fig. 1, and includes a cylinder 42 secured to the driven shaft44 of the transmission and a piston 45 operating in the cylinder 52 andadapted, when fluid is admitted to the cylinder through the port 45, tomove forwardly for engaging the clutch. The overall casing of thetransmission is shown at 48, being provided with an end wall 59 having aboss 54 carrying a bearing 52 in which th shaft 44 is journaled.

The governor is designed to occupy an annular space surrounding the boss54 between the end of the cylinder 42 and the end wall 50. This spacewould otherwise be wasted. The governor comprises an axially fixed disc56 mounted on the rear of the cylinder 42 and having a rearwardlyextending sleeve 58, and an axially movable disc 60 including a hubportion 62 slidably mounted on the sleeve 58. The discs 50 and 69enclose between them a plurality of centrifugal weights 64 which arepivoted upon the disc 56 as indicated at 66 in Fig. 2 and which areadapted, under the effect of centrifugal force, to swing outwardly,acting in successive stages upon two conical portions 68 and I0,respectively, of th disc 60 so as to move the disc 60 rearwardly insuccessive stages of movement. A ball 72, socketed in the end reion ofeach weight, provides the contact with the conical disc portions 68 andE0. The conical portion 60 is separated from the portion 16 by anannular ridge I4 of greater inclination from a radial plane than that ofthe conical portion 66, so as to cause the weights to dwell at the endof the first stage of movement until an appreciably higher rate ofrotation has been attained before commencing the second stage ofmovement. The conical portion I has a lesser inclination from the radialthan the conical portion 68, in order that the second stage of movementmay not be unduly prolonged. In this connection it may be noted that theoutward extension of the weights is opposed by coil springs 76 eachhaving one end attached to a free end of a respective weight and itsother end attached to an adjustable anchor 18, pivoted at 80 to the disc56 and secured in ad- J'usted position by a screw 82 extending throughan arcuate slot 84 therein and threaded into the disc 56. The pull ofthis spring increase with the increased outward movement of the weight,and the lower inclination of the conical portion compensates for thisincreased pull, as well as cutting down the amount of increase in speednecessary to eifect the second stage of movement as compared to thatnecessary to effect the first stage of movement, if desired. outwardlyof the conical portion T0, the disc 60 is provided with a dwell portion80, in which the ball '52 may dwell during decrease in speed so that thefirst stage of return movement of the weight is commenced at asubstantially lower speed than that at which the final stage ofextension was completed. The same effect is produced in the transitionfrom the first to the second stage of return movement, owing to thedifference in inclination between the conical portions I0 and 68.

An axially shiftable driving connection between the discs 56 and 60 iseffected by a tongue 88 formed on the periphery of the disc 56 andextending through a notch 90 in the periphery of the disc 60.

Th multiple stage switch C may embody any approved contact mechanism,preferably of a snap action type, but for the sake of simplicity inillustration, it has been shown as comprising simply a pair of contact26 and 24 adapted to be closed in the first stage of governor action anda pair of contacts 24 and 26 adapted to be closed in the second stage ofgovernor action, the respective contacts being mounted in a base 96 ofsuitable insulating material secured in transmission housing 48,

Movement is transmitted from the governor to the switch contact 26 bymeans of an annular plate 98 encircling the sleeve 58 and mounted uponpins I00 which are mounted in a washer I02 likewise encircling thesleeve 58 and abutted against a nut I04 threaded on to the end of thesleeve. Coil springs I06, encircling the pins I00, yieldingly resist thecentrifugal weight energized movement of the disc 60 which iscommunicated to the plate 98. Th movement of the plate 98 undercentrifugal action is communicated to a pin I88 axially slidable in aboss I I0 in the switch base 96 and having a shoulder H2 in engagementwith the switch contact 26. In the first stage of governor action, thecontact 26 will be moved into engagement with the contact 24, thusenergizing the relay R which in turn establishes a circuit to the coils34 and 36 of the solenoid. In the second stage of governor action, thecontact 24 is moved into engagement with the contact 26, energizing therelay R which in turn energizes the coils 34 and 36' of the solenoid.

The solenoid S comprises a casing II4 having an exteriorly threaded neckI I6 by means of which it may be mounted on a-support, and the pairs ofcoils 34, 36 and 34', 36, which are mounted in coaxial end-to-endrelationship in the casing I I4, and the armatures I I8, I I8 which areslidably mounted in the liners I20, I20 of the respective pairs ofcoils. The liner I20 has an offset portion I22 and the armature II8 hasa corresponding shoulder I24 adapted to engage the offset I22 to limitthe movement of the armature H8 away from its energized position. Thearmature I I8 is connected to the control element I0 by a stem 9| whichextends through the neck II6. Movement of the armature II8 underenergized solenoid action is yieldingly resisted by a spring 92encircling the stem 9|, one end of the spring 92 being engaged againstthe control element I0 and the other end of the spring 92 being engagedagainst a shoulder 94 in the neck H6. The armature II8 has a bore I26,one end of which is enlarged as at I28. A draft link I30 in the form ofa bolt is extended through the bore I26, has a head I32 received in theenlarged portion I28 of the bore, and is threaded at its other end intothe armature H8. The link I30 forms a lost motion draft connectionbetween the armatures H8 and M8 by means of which energized movement ofthe armature H6 is transmitted to the armature M8 to produce the firststage of movement of the control element I0, and permitting the armatureII8 to move further in the same direction to produce the second stage ofmovement of the control element I0, while the armature IIB remainsstationary. During this second stage of movement the draft link I slidesin the bore I26.

Opposite the neck H6, the casing H4 is closed by an end wall I34 onwhich is mounted an annular switch base I36 of suitable insulatingmaterial. The switch 40' comprises a fixed contact carried by a bracketI33 mounted on the base I36 and a movable contact carried by a springarm I40 mounted on a bracket I42 on the base I36 and biased toward theclosed position of the contacts. The switch 40 comprises a fixed contactI44 secured against the base I36 and a movable contact carried by aspring arm I46 having a bracket portion I4! secured to the base I36. Thefree end of the spring arm I46 extends beyond the contact which itcarries, and is adapted to be engaged by a sleeve I48 slidably mountedin a bushing I50 which in turn is mounted in the center of the solenoidcasing end wall I34. Slidably mounted within the sleeve I48 is a pushpin I52 having a head i54 engaging the arm I40 of the switch 40'. Alight coil spring I56, received in an enlargement of the bore of thesleeve I46, has one end engaged against the shoulder I58 defining theend of such enlargement and its other end engaged against the head I54so as to yieldingly maintain the push pin I52 in engagement with the armI40.

In the operation of the solenoid, the first stage of action is effectedby energization of the coils 34 and 36, drawing the armature H8 to theleft as viewed in Fig. 4. At the conclusion of this movement, thearmature I I8 contacts the end of the sleeve I48 which normally projectsslightly beyond the bushing I50, and moves the sleeve I48 to the left soas to open the switch 40, thus deenergizing the moving coil 34 while theholding coil 36 remains energized. The armature I I8 is stopped by itscontact with the bushing I53. This first stage of armature movement istransmitted from the armature IIB through the draft link I30 to thearmature II8 and thence to the control element I0 through the stem 92.

In the second stage of solenoid action, the coils 34 and 36 areenergized, drawing the armature II8 further to the left while the draftlink I30 moves axially through the bore I26 of the armature I I8, intocontact with the push pin I52, moving the latter to the left and openingthe switch 40'. This deenergizes the moving coil 3i, leaving the holdingcoil 36' energized. This second stage of movement is transmitteddirectly from the armature I I8 to the control element I3, moving thelatter to its second active control position.

These two stages of solenoid action are produced by the closing of theswitch contacts 26, 24 and the subsequent closing of the contacts 24,26, in response to the two stages of governor action. As long as thegovernor weights remain in their fully extended positions, the controlele ment I0 will be maintained in its second active control position bythe solenoid. When the weights drop back to their intermediatepositions, the springs I06 will move the plate 98 to the left as viewedin Fig. l, permitting the contacts 24 and 26' to open and deenergizingthe coils 34 and 36 of the solenoid. The spring 92 will then move thecontrol element I0 back to its intermediate or first active controlposition, causing the controlled mechanism, if it be a transmission suchas that described in the above-identified application, Serial No.426,122, to be shifted down to the gear ratio controlled by saidintermediate position. When the governor weights recede from theirintermediate positions, the plate 98 will be moved further to the leftby the springs I06, permitting the contacts 24 and 26 to open,completely deenergising the solenoid and permitting the spring 92 tomove the control element I0 back to its starting position.

I claim:

1. In a control mechanism of the character described, a control membermovable in one direction through two stages successively from an initialposition to an intermediate position through the first stage of movementand from said intermediate position to a final position through the Fsecond stage of movement, and also movable in the opposite directionsuccessively through the second and first stages back into its initialposition, speed responsive means controlling the movement of said membercomprising a solenoid having a movable armature, means operativelyconnecting said armature and control member for movement thereof inunison, a primary coil operable upon energization thereof to impart afirst stage of movement to said armature in a direction and of an extentsufficient to move said control member through its first stage ofmovement to its interm diate position, a holding coil operable uponenergization thereof to maintain said armature in the position to whichit is moved by energization of said primary coil, a second primary coiloperable upon energization thereof to impart a second stage of movementto said armature in a direction and of an extent sufficient to move saidcontrol member through its second stage of movement into its finalposition, a second holding coil operable upon energization thereof tomaintain said armature in the position to which it has been moved bysaid second primary coil, an electric circuit for each of said coils, apair of normally open contacts disposed in and common to the circuitsfor said first primary and first holding coil, a pair of normally opencontacts disposed in and common to the circuit for said second primaryand second holding coil, a relay magnet for each of said pairs ofcontacts operable upon energization thereof to close its respective pairof contacts and cause initial energization of the respective primarycoil which it controls, means operable upon energization of eitherprimary coil and corresponding movement of its armature for subsequentlyopening the circuit therethrough, a circuit for each relay magnet, apair of normally open contacts in each of said latter circuits, a rotarymember, and governor means operable when the speed of rotation of saidrotary member attains a predetermined minimum for closing the pair ofnormally open contacts in the circuit of the relay. magnet whichcontrols the movements of the contacts which are disposed in the circuitof the first primary and the first holding coil, and operable when saidmember attains a higher predetermined rate of rotation for o 'sing thepair of normally open contacts in the circuit for said other rela magnetwhich controls the movements of the contacts which are disposed in thecircuits of the second primary and second holding coil.

2. In a control mechanism of the character described, a control membermovable in one direction through two stages successively from an initialposition to an intermediate position through the first stage of movementand from said intermediate position to a final position through thesecond stage of movement, and also movable in the opposite directionsuccessively through the second and first stages back into its initialposition, speed responsive means controlling the movement of said membercomprising" a solenoid having a movable armature, means operativelyconnecting said armature and control member for movement thereof inunison, a primary coil operable upon energization thereof to impart afirst stage of movement to said armature in a direction and of an extentsufficient to move said control member through its first stage ofmovement to its intermediate position, a holding coil operable uponenergization thereof to maintain said armature in the position to whichit is moved by energization of said primary coil, a second primary coiloperable upon energization thereof to impart a second stage of movementto said armature in a direction and of an extent sufficient to move saidcontrol member through its second stage of movement to its finalposition, a second holding coil operable upon energization thereof tomaintain said armature in the position to which it has been moved bysaid second primary coil, a normally open electric circuit for each ofsaid coils, a pair of normally open contacts operable upon closingthereof to cause energization oi the circuits for said first primary andfirst holding coil, a pair of normally open contacts operable on closingthereof to cause energization of said second primary and said secondholding coil, a rotary member, and governor means operable as the speedof rotation of said rotary member increases to successively close saidlatter pair of contacts.

HAROLD E. CARNAGUA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,085,425 Hobe Jan. 2'7, 1914 91,316,187 Rogers Sept. 16, 1919 1,476,914 Oakley Dec. 11, 1923 2,350,431Vatter June 6, 1944

